Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025

# Summary of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 This proposed legislation contains comprehensive provisions to enhance agricultural resilience, reduce food waste, and promote sustainable farming practices. Key components include: 1. **Conservation Programs**: - Enhanced conservation reserve program with new "Grassland 30" contracts for long-term grassland protection - Private grazing land conservation assistance focusing on soil health, climate resilience, and advanced grazing management - Support for producers transitioning from confinement systems to managed grazing 2. **Food Waste Reduction**: - Standardized "quality date" (BEST If Used By) and "discard date" (USE By) labeling requirements - Mandatory food donation clauses for Federal contracts over $10,000 - School food waste reduction grant program for local educational agencies - National media campaigns to decrease food waste incidence 3. **Sustainable Agriculture Practices**: - Establishment of agrivoltaic systems (combining solar energy with agriculture) - Alternative manure management program to reduce methane emissions - Composting recognized as a conservation practice - Support for anaerobic digestion systems to reduce methane emissions 4. **Renewable Energy**: - Enhanced Rural Energy for America Program with carbon accounting requirements - New provisions for agrivoltaic systems research and demonstration - AgSTAR program transition to USDA for anaerobic digestion support 5. **Food Donation and Recovery**: - Amendments to the Federal Food Donation Act requiring donation of excess food - Grants for large-scale composting and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy projects - Food Waste Research Program to coordinate nationwide efforts The Act includes significant funding allocations for these programs (e.g., $50 million annually for grazing land conservation, $1.5 billion for alternative manure management, $100 million annually for composting/anaerobic digestion projects) with a focus on supporting beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged producers, and underserved communities.